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I want to build a server with a minimum of 20TB - 30TB space. I want to make a single server with many 2TB HDDs. How is it possible to have 20TB-30TB for a single folder ie. /var/www which will contain my server files. It is a web server.

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any requirements for RAID? – Cold T Nov 26 '12 at 8:53
@ColdT I didn't know what was RAID .... After reading the answers and googling about it, I came to know about it! Yes I will use RAID! – Pranit Bauva Nov 26 '12 at 16:27

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2 Answers

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The technology you are looking for is called RAID (Redundant Array of Independent/Inexpensive Disks). You can create a disk array on a number of levels.

  • Hardware controller (LSI Logic etc) or integrated storage (Drobo etc)
  • Software on the driver level like Dynamic Disks (windows), mdraid (Linux/MacOS)
  • Software on the volume or filesystem level like ZFS, Logical volume managers (LVM)

Any of these might be suitable for a web server, exact configuration depending on requirements.

I'll add that 4 TB drives have just started appearing, which could significantly lower the cost of a 20-30 TB array.

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thanks for pointing that 4TB HDD are there .... I really didn't know about it .... my cost will also be reduced! – Pranit Bauva Nov 26 '12 at 16:26
up vote 3 down vote

The magic Keyword in this case is Logical Volume Manager (short LVM). With this you can create volumes, and attach harddrives to this volume. Then you can mount this volume on /var/wwww

It is possible to use this LVM with RAID system in Combination. So you can push speed or data-security(in case one drive breaks down). And i would reccomend you to use RAID 5 or RAID 6 if you have that many drives.
Otherwise if one drive brokes down you might take it out of your lvm but you would leave a hole in you filesystem. And this will bring you in stressy troubles.

I used to spend nearly to weeks to understand lvm, Raid and to set up a testing environment. But it's worth. It's like juggleing with data.

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Based on general recommendations, there are too many drives to recommend RAID 5 or 6. Should consider RAID 5+0 or 6+0 instead. Manageable rebuild times points towards RAID 6+0. Similarly, due to the number of disks, the risk of running a JBOD (the typical concatenated LVM configuration) will be very high, and likely can not be recommended. – Roy Nov 26 '12 at 9:24
Good opinion Roy! Sounds quite right! – zwarag Nov 26 '12 at 9:27

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